> Term limits are the only answer to maintaining a Republic. <
Yes. As you noted, the longer politicians stay in office, the less they care about the average citizen.
Imposing term limits is actually very doable. But all current office-holders must be exempt. That’s distasteful. But it would be the only way to get their support.
There is precedence for this. When presidential term limits were imposed, the current president (Harry Truman) was exempt from the new rules.
“term limits”
Unless elected people know the ropes, the bureaucrats will run the show.